Divorce: Children in the Middle Parenting Classes

The Children in the Middle program has been recognized by judges as highly effective and was developed by experts in the fields of child clinical and developmental-social psychology. The program has received the Positive Parenting Award from the National Council for Children’s Rights and the Active Parenting Award from the Children’s Rights Council.

To help parents and children cope with the stress of divorce and custody hearings, judges in the Twenty-Sixth Judicial District of Louisiana have agreed under Rule 38 to implement Children in the Middle. According to Rule 38, all parties in a custody matter filed after May 1, 1999, in the Twenty-Sixth Judicial District shall successfully complete Children in the Middle within 60 days after the divorce petition is filed and served. The program teaches parenting skills to prevent placing the child in the middle of conflicts.

The program is taught by Extension Educators/Home Economists with the LSU AgCenter’s Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service.

The program is taught through the aid of video. Real-life situations are depicted, showing how devastating controversy between parents can be for children.

According to the Center for Divorce Education, children of divorcing parents may exhibit the following behaviors:

Loss of concentration.

Short attention span.

Poor grades.

Problems in school.

Emotional outbursts.

Children in the Middle can help parents increase knowledge and develop skills to help their children make healthy adjustments as they experience the transition of divorce.

Register today. Ask the Clerk of Court’s office for a registration form, complete the form and return form as indicated below.

Separate classes for the children’s version are offered at the same times and places as the adult classes. Parents need to enroll their children for classes, also.

Registration forms for Bossier Parish can be mailed to the LSU AgCenter, P O Box 370, Benton, LA 71006 or dropped off at the LSU AgCenter's office on the Fourth Floor of the Bossier Parish Courthouse.

Classes are offered from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.

The classes will be held on the Fourth Floor of the LSU AgCenter's Office of the Bossier Parish Courthouse in Benton.